Now that all, or at least most, of the talk about baseball’s past is behind us for about another year, it is time to refocus on the immediate future and current players. Specifically, those premier players who still are unsigned as the first spring training report dates near (we’re roughly a month away).

When this offseason began, it would have been tough to convince someone that three premier free agents still would be on the market in the second week of January. But because super agent Scott Boras represents all three, perhaps it wouldn’t have been all that difficult.

Still, it is fairly safe to assume Boras didn’t believe he’d have three top clients waiting by their phones, hoping to land some sort of deal this late in the game. These players might have overestimated their values to a point where their options are now extremely limited. So much, in fact, that they might have to go through this process again next offseason.

Boras’ Big Three:

THE OVERPRICED TOP-SHELF ITEM

This is clearly Michael Bourn, and it pretty much has been since the World Series ended. Bourn is a 30-year-old center fielder who relies on his speed to be effective offensively and defensively. That would make him desirable on a three- or four-year deal, but absolutely not for the seven years and roughly $80 million he and Boras had been seeking. Bourn also has to contend with the aftermath of turning down a one-year qualifying offer that attached draft-pick compensation to his signing.

Bourn now is limited to soft rumors, such as the latest that Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels asked former Bourn teammate Lance Berkman for his thoughts on the outfielder. But no one seems to be talking seriously to Boras about Bourn, something that seemingly will force the player and agent to accept a much shorter, cheaper deal than the one they originally sought.

So what are the chances Bourn settles for a one-year “pillow contract?” That is the label Boras gives to deals that are an attempt to re-establish a player’s value for one season so he can land a multi-year deal the following offseason. This is about the last thing Bourn and Boras want.

Again, Bourn is an aging player and is reliant on his legs. Any sign of decreased speed or the slightest dip in production will lower his value next offseason, possibly putting him in the same position he is in now.

So, there will be no pillow deal for Bourn. His best bet is to settle for a three-year contract from a team like the Rangers, who can afford him and don’t consider him the centerpiece of a championship (unlike how a team like the Seattle Mariners might view him).

THE RISKY BUY

Kyle Lohse, 34, arguably has had only three strong seasons during his 12-season major league career. And much of his improvement in the previous two seasons can be attributed to former St. Louis Cardinal pitching coach Dave Duncan.

Factor in the fact that he, like Bourn, is tied to draft-pick compensation and you have a player who teams see as risky because of age, history and draft sacrifices.

Fair or not, those concerns undoubtedly have lowered Lohse’s value. Now he and Boras must navigate a course that could lead to a something like a two-year deal with a vesting/mutual option for a third year. But Lohse recently admitted he hasn’t received a single offer.

The likelihood of a pillow deal for Lohse is relatively low because the older he gets the less inclined teams will be to give him a multi-year contract. Plus, Lohse’s value could diminish even more if he signs a one-year deal with a team that plays in a hitter-friendly park.

THE UNNECESSARY LUXURY

Baseball is in an age when the only teams that pay handsomely for closers are those with money to burn. Among those clubs, none currently needs a closer—with the possible exception of the Detroit Tigers. Then again, they don’t have much excess money to light on fire.

That leaves Rafael Soriano in a bad situation. He also hasn’t received a contract offer that anyone outside of Boras or a team would know about, and no team seems too keen on giving up a draft pick for him. Plus, Soriano has made it known he wants to close (and not set up), further limiting his options.

This normally would make Soriano a perfect candidate for a pillow contract, but that would be a step backward considering he turned down a $13.3 million qualifying offer from the New York Yankees. A pillow deal might be his lone option at this point, though it likely would have to come in some sort of sign-and-trade because a team won’t give up an unprotected pick for a one-season reliever.